[Modern Finding-Specific and Patient-Adapted Management of Peripheral Pseudoaneurysms after Arterial Access]. / Das moderne befund- und patientenadaptierte Management von peripheren Pseudoaneurysmen nach arteriellem Zugang.

Aside from haematomas, pseudoaneurysms (PSA) are considered the most frequent complications after catheter-guided interventions. AIM AND METHOD: Narrative compact short overview to describe aetiopathogenesis and characteristics of pseudoaneurysms and the options for diagnostic measures, therapy and its complications. RESULTS: Aetiopathogenesis: via the closed access site, the puncture channel, there is continuous bleeding out of the vessel which forms a pseudoaneurysm-associated cavity within the perivascular tissue. This is not surrounded by a regular vascular wall as in true aneurysms but is only formed by the surrounding tissue structures. However, this border is not sufficient and the pseudoaneurysm may extend, with diffuse bleeding episodes into the tissue. Thus, surrounding structures such as nerves and veins can be compressed by the expanding pseudoaneurysm, which can lead to irreversible damage. Diagnostic measures: duplex ultra-sonography absolutely predominant. CT-A, MR-A and DSA for specific problems and clinical case characteristics (e.g., accompanying diseases etc.) - DSA is to be linked with the option of image-guided intervention during the same session. THERAPY: by manual compression and subsequent dressing with compression, ultrasound-guided compression, thrombin injection and surgical intervention, there are several therapeutic measures for appropriate selection according to the specific need. Ultrasound-guided compression should be immediately used since it is highly efficient and widely available. In addition to compression, thrombin can be injected into the pseudoaneurysm-preserving nerval structures and tissue from alterations. This provides much better occlusion rates but is more demanding. Surgical intervention is the most efficient approach to occlude a pseudoaneurysm but is demanding and can be associated with complications such as disturbances of wound healing in altered tissue and the longest hospital stay. Alternative approaches have not been established yet. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic and therapeutic management of pseudoaneurysms for different findings and patients can be considered a great challenge, and requires an experienced angiologist or vascular surgeon.

Indications for and outcome of open AAA repair in the endovascular era.

The benefits, safety and efficacy of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) is well documented and intensively reported in multiple randomized trials and meta-analysis. Therefore, EVAR became the first choice of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) treatment in almost 70-100% of patients. Consecutively, open repair (OR) is performed less frequently in morphologically preselected patients. Anatomical condition remains the most important factor for indication for OR. Especially unfavorable intrarenal landing zone based on difficult neck anatomy like very short neck or excessive neck angulation is still the most predictive factor. Furthermore, patients presenting additional iliac aneurysms, aortoiliac occlusive disease or variations of renal arteries are recommended for OR. Randomized trials like EVAR 1, DREAM and OVER from the year 2004/2005 and 2009 showed lower 30-day mortality rates in EVAR compared to OR. However, the late mortality rates after two years became equal in both treatment options. Furthermore, reinterventions after EVAR occur more frequently than after OR. Analysis from our own data showed a higher 30-day mortality in the patients who underwent OR in the endovascular era (15% vs. 2.5%), however the number of emergency open AAA repair because of ruptured aneurysms was much higher in the endovascular era (32.5% vs. 5%). In conclusion, treatment of AAA has changed in the past decade. Nevertheless OR of AAA still remains as a safe and durable method in experienced surgeons, even in the endovascular era. High volume centres are needed to offer the best patients' treatment providing the best postoperative outcome. Therefore OR must remain a part of fellowship training in the future. To decide the best treatment option many facts like patients' fitness and preference or finally the anatomic suitability for endovascular repair have to be considered.